Former Player Pegs Doncaster Rovers for Promotion

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Russ Wilcox has pegged the club for automatic promotion in the upcoming SkyBet League Two campaign.

Wilcox, who is currently the manager of Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity, expects his former team to be challenging for the top three next season.

The 60-year-old made his senior debut for Doncaster aged 17, and went on to make 93 appearances for the club after returning later in his career.

What Has Russ Wilcox Said?

Speaking to reporter Jamie Johnson, the ex-Doncaster centre-back said: “I’m expecting Doncaster Rovers to be challenging top three next season, not top seven. There’s pressure there, but you want that. They’re my hometown club, I want them to be successful. They’re a huge club that should probably be in the Championship.”

He added: “I think this will be their season next season, and I do fancy them to finish in the top three.” 

Lofty Ambition at Doncaster Rovers:

Rovers Manager Grant McCann has made no bones about his ambitions of raising the League Two trophy come May next year, and has been busy adding new additions to the squad that reached the play-offs last term.

He has signed six new names already this summer, along with re-signing Luke Molyneux to another contract.

Joe Sbarra joined from National League play-off finalists Solihull Moors, Harry Clifton from Grimsby Town, Jordan Gibson from last season’s League One bottom-side Carlisle United, and Tom Nixon from Championship outfit Hull City after a successful loan spell last season.

Alongside the four permanent deals, McCann has also added two early loan signings to his Doncaster Rovers side: securing Bristol City winger Ephraim Yeboah and Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe.

Play-Off Heartache Last Season:

Doncaster Rovers went on a remarkable ten game winning run to gatecrash the top seven. They then took a 2-0 lead in their away leg against Crewe Alexandra, but lost in a dramatic penalty shootout in the return leg. 

Real Promotion Contenders – Opinion:

If McCann’s men can replicate their form of the latter stages of last season from the start this time around, then they will be surefire promotion favourites. The new additions, along with the re-signing of Luke Molyneux, provide a great squad around the retained list. 

The South Yorkshire club have youth, experience, goals, defensive knowhow, a strong midfield, and a little bit of everything else you could look for. League Two is shaping up to be a strong division with big signings elsewhere too, but Doncaster Rovers have put themselves well and truly in the mix for automatic promotion.